The alcohol licence of a Premier shop in Bensham, Gateshead hangs in the balance after claims that hundreds of under aged drinkers caused chaos in Saltwell Park.
A PCSO called out to “numerous incidents” of drinking and fighting was told that under-age youngsters had bought their alcohol from Jenny Hall Convenience Store, trading under Premier fascia.
Gateshead Council officials claim staff at the Brinkburn Avenue store later sold alcopops to a 15-year-old volunteer.
Now, a review into its licence has been launched.
If councillors find that the sales were made, the authority could impose a range of sanctions – including stripping the store of its licence.
In a statement PCSO Julie McGow said that on April 24 she was called out to “numerous incidents” where 200 youths were “causing disorder” in Saltwell Park and the surrounding area.
At the time she was told by concerned residents that “large groups of under-age youths drinking and fighting at the bowling green” at the landmark local park.
McGow wrote: “These groups were causing members of the public to be afraid and concerned not only for their own safety but the safety but the safety of the under-age youths who were intoxicated.”
That evening police received an anonymous tip-off that the young trouble makers had purchased their alcohol from Jenny Hall.
She continued: “Saltwell Park is approximately 200 metres away from Jenny Hall’s Off-Licence, over the last six months I have noticed an increase of youth disorder and alcohol related incidents.”
A report from Gateshead Council stated that on May 7 a test purchase was carried out using a 15-year-old volunteer who was sold two bottles of VK Blue.
When she was asked for ID and couldn’t provide it staff sold her the drink after she told them she was born in September 2002.
Gateshead Council’s licensing committee will carry out the review on Monday.
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